A girl & her Horse
A girl & her Horse

I’m always sad when a bride contacts me to shoot her wedding and I’m already booked. :( (Because I love to make me some MONEY! CHA-CHING!!!) Anyway… back when Kathleen contacted me about her date I had to give her the sad news that her date was already taken. :( Blame Emily & Lucas ; )

I was however super excited when she asked if I would still do a bridal session for her. I was more excited when she told me Bubbles would be there.

First off… How amazing is her dress?

bride-on-a-horse-east-texas-01

bride-on-a-horse-east-texas-02

bride-on-a-horse-east-texas-03

bride-on-a-horse-east-texas-04
Meet Bubbles.  Kathleen and Bubbles have been together since her first high school rodeo.  Together they went on to College Nationals in Casper, WY rodeoing for Texas A&M. (WHOOP!)  After that they decided they should head down to Belle Fourche, SD and win their first pro rodeo.  Kathleen has also placed on her at pro rodeos in Casper, WY Laramie, WY, Garden City, KS and a few others.  So yeah… They kinda have a bit of history together.

bride-on-a-horse-east-texas-05

bride-on-a-horse-east-texas-06
Anyone wanna take bets on whether or not Kathleen’s fiancé noticed her eyes?

bride-on-a-horse-east-texas-07

bride-on-a-horse-east-texas-08

bride-on-a-horse-east-texas-09

Thanks so much for the session.  Your mom and sister were a hoot.  Tell them I said hello and tell your mom thanks for making me fall off the mule.

read more
The McKellars Are Giving Stuff Away!!!
The McKellars Are Giving Stuff Away!!!

the-mckellars-01

I LOVE when couples get their wedding filmed! My favorite film makers The McKellars are doing a giveaway to celebrate 10 years in the world of weddings! This is great news for you. If you are getting married, you can enter to win a Love Story. (Super Super Cool.) If you are not getting married, you can enter to win all other type of great things. If you don’t win, it’s ok. I’m sure they will be happy to take your money if you want them at your wedding. It’s worth it. I promise. This contest ends tomorrow so jump on it!

Watch this trailer from a wedding we did together a little while back.

Now that you totally love them and need them at your wedding keep reading…

The McKellars have been filming weddings, events, and families for 10 years! To celebrate this milestone, we’re doing a fantastic giveaway worth $1200-$2500. If you’re engaged, a small business owner, or a parent, this is for you. If you’re not, you can give it to someone who is! Just share this image on your Facebook page, “like” our Facebook page if you haven’t already (www.facebook.com/TheMcKellars), and leave a comment on any of our blog posts (find the blog at www.TheMcKellars.com). The winner will be announced on our Facebook page on April 15th, so be sure to check back then.

Here are examples of the films:

Love Story

Family Film

Promo Film

The fine print: Must be redeemed within one year. Travel fees apply for shoots over 60 miles from Tyler, TX. Prize is transferable.

read more
Happy Snake Attack Day!
Happy Snake Attack Day!

It’s that time of year again, as we flip the calendar and look towards April and all things spring, it’s the time of year when our little house celebrates one of our favorite holidays.  I’m talking of course about Snake Attack Day.

7 years ago while sitting at my desk working I heard Danielle let out a blood curdling scream.  Being someone who likes to document events I grabbed my camera and headed her way.  The following video is the result.

So now each year we celebrate our victory over the slithery beast.  We partake in gummy worms and crushed oreos to remind us of how close we came to defeat.  We tell tells of battles won against the serpents of yesteryear.  We share theses stories to remind the young that one day their time will come.  They will have a family and house of their own to defend.  And just when all hope seams lost they will think back on April 5,  2006 and remember how their father conquered the carnivorous reptile and protected his legacy and linage.

Happy Snake Attack Day everyone.

read more
Tagged:  
10 Amazing Places to Get Married In East Texas
10 Amazing Places to Get Married In East Texas

top-10-east-texas-wedding-venues-aaa-00

One of the best things about weddings here in the East Texas area is just how many great venues there are for brides to choose from.  Most of these places were build from the ground up with weddings in mind.  They have plenty of rooms to get ready in, multiple locations for you to have your ceremony and reception and some even offer a place for you to stay the night.  Many will offer catering and provide you with packages that include a few other wedding vendors as well.  A good wedding venue is totally worth the money once you factor in all these things.  Here are the 10 best East Texas wedding venues. (In alphabetical order.)

 

The Arbor
2215 Roy Rd.
Tyler, TX
903-534-4997
www.arborvenue.com

top-10-east-texas-wedding-venues-arbor-01

The Belgium House
Longview, TX
903-720-6414
www.thebelgiumhouse.com

top-10-east-texas-wedding-venues-belgium-house-02

Bella Sera Ranch
286 ACR 1400
Palestine, TX
903-723-0900
www.bellaseraranch.com

top-10-east-texas-wedding-venues-bella-sera-ranch-03

Castle on the Lake
9110 US Hwy. 79 W.
Jacksonville, TX
903-721-3593
www.jacksonvillecastle.com

top-10-east-texas-wedding-venues-castle-on-the-lake-04

Elmwood Gardens
680 ACR 446
Palestine, TX
903-549-2716
www.elmwoodgardens.com

top-10-east-texas-wedding-venues-elmwood-gardens-05

Lake Tyler Petroleum Club
15898 Eastside Dr.
Tyler, TX
903-566-4444
www.laketylerpetroleumclub.com

top-10-east-texas-wedding-venues-lake-tyler-petroleum-club-06

The Legacy
Jacksonville, TX
903-571-9644
www.thelegacy-venue.com

top-10-east-texas-wedding-venues-legacy-07

The Reserve
7725 Hwy. 259
Longview, TX
903-431-3496
www.bookthereserve.com

top-10-east-texas-wedding-venues-reserve-08

Stone Oak Ranch
Murchison, TX
903-530-4201
www.stoneoakranch.com

top-10-east-texas-wedding-venues-stone-oak-ranch-09

Villa di Felicitá
7891 Hwy. 110
Tyler, TX
903-597-0002
villadifelicita.com

top-10-east-texas-wedding-venues-villa-di-felicita-10

read more
It’s Like Rain….
It’s Like Rain….

elmwood-gardens-wedding-photos-00

Every time I’m fortunate enough to shoot out at Elmwood Gardens, I love it even more. :)

elmwood-gardens-wedding-photos-01 elmwood-gardens-wedding-photos-02

Calley had all types of shiny pretty things.  Petal’s Florist did a great job and I LOVE that she wore her grandmother’s jewelry.

elmwood-gardens-wedding-photos-03

Calley told me she has been “playing with this jewelry” since she was a little girl.  How awesome is that?  And, how crazy are these screw on earrings.  :)

elmwood-gardens-wedding-photos-04 elmwood-gardens-wedding-photos-05

Calley & William had an amazing First Look.  William kept spinning her around and looking at all the details of her dress.

elmwood-gardens-wedding-photos-06 elmwood-gardens-wedding-photos-07 elmwood-gardens-wedding-photos-08 elmwood-gardens-wedding-photos-09

If you remember their engagement session you know that these two love them some triathlons.  Their ring bearer must be in training because this little man sprinted down the aisle.  Big, long strides.  About a 5 minute mile pace.

elmwood-gardens-wedding-photos-10 elmwood-gardens-wedding-photos-11

As they were finishing up their ceremony it started to drizzle a bit.

Calley actually stopped her vows, turned to the crowd and said, “You all can head inside, we are going to finish up.”  They then shouted back at her, “Keep going!” “We’re fine!” “We are staying!”

That is what every marriage needs.  When the hard times come,

You need a group of friends that will cheer you on.
You need couples who will sit in the rain with you.
You need friends who will say “We are with you through all of it, good and bad.”

When planning your wedding and marriage make sure you have those.  They are super important.
You can’t find them on Pinterest or Style Me Pretty.
The Knot does not have a checkbox that looks like this: [  ] Friends as committed to our marriage as we are.

Those are the types of things that will make your marriage stand up to all types of weather.

So, Calley & Will continued, while family and friends were rained on a bit, they committed to each other regardless of what life brought their way.  They said I do. They kissed. And we were all witnesses.  (With a few raindrops to prove it.)

elmwood-gardens-wedding-photos-12 elmwood-gardens-wedding-photos-13 elmwood-gardens-wedding-photos-14 elmwood-gardens-wedding-photos-15 elmwood-gardens-wedding-photos-16

Just when I thought I could not love them any more, Will stepped up to the mic and sang “Forever and Ever Amen”.  Will’s vocal talents are…. how can I put this… uh… less stellar than his triathlon skills.  :)  It was totally out of a movie.  So so great.  Calley could not stop laughing and everyone else enjoyed it quite a bit as well.

elmwood-gardens-wedding-photos-17 elmwood-gardens-wedding-photos-18

Thank you two for trusting me with your day.  Thank you for not letting a bit of rain dampen your spirits.  (Get it. Ha Ha)

I hope you two have many many years and miles of marriage together.

read more